Podcast Summary: The Five - "Defund Do-Over"

Episode Information:

• Title: Defund Do-Over
• Host/Author: FOX News Podcasts
• Release Date: July 31, 2025

"The Five" episode titled "Defund Do-Over" delves into the contentious debate surrounding police funding, political maneuvers in New York City, media dynamics, and allegations of insider trading within Congress. Hosted by Greg Gutfeld, the panel features Kennedy, Harold Ford Jr., Jesse Watters, and Martha MacCallum, who engage in spirited discussions, debates, and critiques of current events.

1. Defunding the NYPD: Kami Mamdani’s Controversial Stance

[00:00 – 02:04]

The episode opens with a segment on Kami Mamdani, a Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, who is under scrutiny for his stance on defunding the NYPD following the Midtown massacre.

• Kami Mamdani asserts, "I am not defunding the police. I am not running to defund the police..." ([00:30])

• Greg Gutfeld challenges Kami's position: "...his convenient pivot can't erase his previous disdain for the police." ([01:06])

Mamdani elaborates on his vision, emphasizing a shift in focus rather than outright defunding: "...allow those officers to respond to these serious crimes..." ([01:13])

2. Critique of Kami Mamdani’s Mayoral Candidacy

[02:04 – 06:03]

Harold Ford Jr. joins the conversation, offering a critical perspective on Mamdani's suitability for mayor.

• Ford states, "If I was running against him, Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams, you just simply not emotionally. But make the case. This is not the young man you want running the city of New York City." ([02:23])

Jesse Watters echoes similar sentiments, comparing Mamdani unfavorably to former mayors: "...he will run it into the ground. He will make the Blasio look like Rudy Giuliani." ([06:03])

Martha MacCallum emphasizes the potential exodus of NYPD officers under Mamdani’s leadership: "They will not work under him. They will leave. They will resign." ([04:16])

3. Kamala Harris’s Political Maneuvering and Book Release

[10:28 – 19:01]

The discussion shifts to Kamala Harris, who has called off her gubernatorial run in California and is poised to release a book about her 2024 campaign.

• Martha MacCallum critiques Harris: "She's trying to scrub herself clean of Biden's lingering stink..." ([12:12])

• Jesse Watters questions the efficacy of her book: "Does that help her at all in 2028?" ([16:12])

Harold Ford Jr. offers a nuanced view, acknowledging that while the book "might sell or won't sell," he remains skeptical about Harris's political future: "I hope, to your point, you say that she honestly confronts some of the things that we all saw happening in that campaign." ([14:32])

Kenney comments on the book's potential impact: "I think her moment has long passed, and I would be very surprised if we see her come back." ([18:33])

4. Nancy Pelosi’s Insider Trading Allegations

[31:02 – 36:27]

A significant portion of the episode addresses allegations of insider trading involving Nancy Pelosi.

• Jesse Watters outlines Pelosi’s suspicious trading activities: "He made a $10 million bet on Microsoft two weeks before the Pentagon announced a $22 billion contract with Microsoft... she bought Netflix before Netflix went into video games." ([35:05])

• Harold Ford Jr. advocates for stricter regulations: "I think when you have information that others don't have about companies that you can invest in and they cannot invest in, that's called illegal." ([34:51])

• Martha MacCallum counters the trading claims by highlighting Pelosi's financial status: "She's worth $400 million... When you're in your 80s, you... would agree with me, your money is in bonds." ([35:05])

Despite the conflicting perspectives, the panel largely underscores the need for transparency and legislation to curb such practices.

5. Media Landscape and Show Cancellations

[11:23 – 28:40]

The panel critiques the current state of media, focusing on the cancellation of popular shows and the lack of viewpoint diversity.

• Jesse Watters discusses the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show, attributing it to financial losses: "They are hemorrhaging money. I don't think that that's, you know..." ([23:18])

• Kennedy comments on media bias, noting the absence of conservative voices: "They have 102 liberal guests on the show and zero conservatives. And they spew nonsense like this." ([23:40])

• Greg Gutfeld defends Greg and his colleagues, emphasizing the importance of viewpoint diversity: "You could be like Carson or Leno. This is after all, it's supposed to be fun." ([24:43])

The conversation highlights a perceived decline in balanced journalism and the financial struggles faced by legacy media outlets.

6. Light-Hearted Segments: Proposal Videos and Animal Sounds

[37:50 – 41:42]

Shifting from heavy topics, the panel engages in more casual discussions and humorous segments.

• Jesse Watters and Kennedy discuss a couple's proposal video, highlighting the excessive documentation by younger generations: "Everything they do has to be caught on camera and they have to post it to Instagram and TikTok right away." ([38:16])

• Greg Gutfeld introduces a sound segment featuring animal noises, leading to playful banter about animal species and sounds: "What is that? It's a baby penguin. Pedro the Penguin. Deport him." ([40:08])

These segments provide a lighter contrast to the intense political discussions, showcasing the panel's dynamic interaction.

7. Closing Remarks and Advertisements

[41:43 – End]

The episode concludes with promotional segments for sponsors such as Lifelock and mentions of upcoming shows. The final moments include humorous exchanges about deodorant products and playful interactions among the hosts.

Notable Quotes:

• Harold Ford Jr.: "If you are running in a change election and say that. You don't. You can't think of anything wrong or anything different that you would do from the last four years..." ([06:03])
• Martha MacCallum: "We have 102 liberal guests on the show and zero conservatives." ([23:40])
• Jesse Watters: "Nancy says she's against it. All of a sudden, okay, that's like, after you made a fortune, you just pull the ladder up so no one else can climb up." ([36:22])

Conclusion:

In "Defund Do-Over," "The Five" tackles pressing issues from policing reforms and political candidacies in New York City to high-profile insider trading allegations and the evolving media landscape. The panelists present a critical lens on current events, interspersed with moments of levity, reflecting the show's blend of serious discourse and engaging banter. Listeners gain a comprehensive overview of the debates shaping the political and social climate as of mid-2025.